Chapter 321: Escape

Chapter 321: Escape

Paul stood in the Seaport, staring blankly at the sea. Ever since Teacher Ge Yin brought everyone here, the burden on his shoulders had lightened considerably.

A few months ago, under Uncle Joey’s arrangements and accompanied by everyone’s blessings, along with the envy and jealousy of some young people, he and Beth had a somewhat hasty wedding.

While he was still getting used to married life, Beth had already stepped into the role of the lady of the house. A sense of confinement settled on Paul’s head at that moment. Maybe there were other reasons for that feeling of confinement, like the small bedroom that temporarily sheltered them from the wind and rain.

The people who followed the teacher here in a panic did not ease the shortage of hands. Instead, they brought many problems that had to be solved first. Everyone had matters to handle, and everyone thought their own matters were more important, so for now, he could only stay at Joey’s house. Owning his own mansion still seemed far away.

Everyone had settled down long ago, but their minds remained restless. Having lost the support of the City of Wisdom, the group huddled here, all feeling their future was bleak.

Since they decided to survive here, they had to integrate. So, they began frequent contact with the local Natives and constantly involved themselves in local disputes.

Sowing discord and fishing in troubled waters were skills Scholars were already proficient in. After some scheming, a nearby town was brought under their control, solving the winter food problem for this year.

For now, they were mainly using gentle methods with the town’s residents, continuing to use the local ruling system. Before holding an absolute advantage, the Scholars did not want to disrupt the local customs and habits. In just a few months, the Scholars established an image of being neutral and not very aggressive.

And after unintentionally displaying enough force to protect themselves, their relations with the surrounding forces became more harmonious, even forming sworn alliances.

The slightly improved situation did not bring Paul joy. Because along with the teacher came a very unfortunate piece of news—the war had begun. Although they were far from the war now, Paul had many doubts. Why did the teacher think this place was safe? If it was safe here, why not expand aggressively?

Many recent events had gradually made him lose confidence in the teacher. His previous efforts and the injustices he suffered were simply left unresolved.

This was not the City of Wisdom, and there should not be any more factional competition and internal strife here. Yet the teacher allowed the conflicts to continue and the existing cracks to widen, which seemed somewhat inappropriate.

When Joey told him that Teacher Ge Yin was actually hiding from external threats. When he saw the teacher lead everyone to land at the Seaport in a sorry state. He wanted to understand, between the teacher and Baz, who was really afraid of death?

After all, the latter seemed to choose Immortality, but he actually chose to face the threat together with Wizard Bran. But his teacher was truly escaping. Paul did not think a person who had already lost his courage could lead them to expand here.

Not far away, Ge Yin sat in a small hut, feeling somewhat drowsy. To win people’s hearts, he put on an attitude of sharing joys and sorrows, choosing this small, simple house as his residence.

But this did not eliminate much dissatisfaction. Many negative things were slowly accumulating. He left many matters unaddressed because fairness could not truly remove the existing hidden dangers. Handling things fairly might seem to calm some people’s grievances, but it would also cause dissatisfaction among those who were dealt with.

He believed he had a clear conscience. At least he had led these people away from danger. In just a few months, under his arrangements, they had taken control of a town. And they did not attract unnecessary trouble; instead, they gained some allies.

But this was not enough. He had to speed up and occupy a strategic location inland early, because this small Seaport was not safe. There were some things he dared not announce to everyone, as that would only increase panic.

Ge Yin was sure this place would not attract attention or war because ancient texts called this place the land of death. A lifeless land, not watched over by the Gods.

In Ge Yin’s view, this place was still full of life, and they, these Mortals, did not need to compare themselves to Deities. What did the Deities want? He did not know, nor did he want to know.

He only needed to know what he wanted.

To take these people far from the strife of the Gods, live out his life in peace, and let the Scholars’ legacy continue to be passed down through generations.

But even this hope might be hard to realize.

A few days ago, a large bird carrying an old man arrived here. After landing, the big bird turned into a young man. They acted as if entering their own backyard, pointing and commenting without regard for others, not even minding if their words were overheard.

Nervously, Ge Yin received the two. When facing them, Ge Yin felt the looks directed at him were like sizing up a child.

The young man called himself “Maddie” and was traveling with his teacher. They discovered this place by chance and came to look out of curiosity.

Maddie did not introduce the old man. From the looks and tone directed at him, Ge Yin knew—he was not worthy.

Yes, if facing Deities, then he truly was not worthy.

Maddie briefly asked about Ge Yin and the others’ origins and then asked with interest about Wizards. When Ge Yin intentionally mentioned the various deeds of Grand Sorcerer Bran, the attitudes of the two became much friendlier. They were not surprised by Bran’s deeds; instead, they seemed somewhat dismissive.

Who had the right to look down on Grand Sorcerer Bran? The answer was obvious.

After the two left, Ge Yin understood the Gods had not forgotten this place, so it was not safe here either.

Maddie carried his teacher back toward their homeland. Before, he wanted to venture deeper into the Desolate Continent but was roughly stopped by his teacher. The teacher explained: “There’s a mad dog there, trying to tell everyone he’s not mad. But Mana doesn’t lie to us; it’s stirring with that mad dog. No one will provoke him at this time. Be patient and wait a while. As his inner suppression and anger gradually release, the madness will also calm down. Then, someone will naturally come for him.”

Still unaware that he had been labeled a mad dog, Bran occasionally roared at the surrounding air. Especially after seeing his sister’s figure, he began to vibrate the Mana more frequently. The ripples gradually crossed the nearby sea, spreading his undisguised provocation and malice outward. But disappointingly, still no one came to challenge him.